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View Full Version : Any good advice re: selling your own car?

TD
10-12-2003, 10:26 PM
I might be putting our '99 (E36) 323iC 5-spd up for sale this week. Any suggestions? Where to list it? How to handle meeting prospective buyers? Etc.

Thanks in advance.
dredmo
10-12-2003, 11:35 PM
I just sold mine by having it spotless and parked in a busy but safe location. Driving through your town you may notice certain places where everyone parks their cars when they're for sale. Do that, it was free, and I sold mine within a week. :x
Doug
10-13-2003, 12:11 AM
Ya sold your bimmer?
TD
10-13-2003, 12:14 AM
Ya sold your bimmer?

It sure looks like that's what dred is saying.
clyde
10-13-2003, 12:30 AM
I might be putting our '99 (E36) 323iC 5-spd up for sale this week. Any suggestions? Where to list it? How to handle meeting prospective buyers? Etc.

Thanks in advance.

Everyone I know that has curbed a decent car, asked a reasonable price and had decent weather at Mid Pike Plaza in the past ~20 years has sold it in two weekends (most in just one weekend). Obviously, you would meet buyers there if that's where they find the car.

If you list in autotrader, Post, etc, offer to meet in a busy shopping center lot.

I will probably be doing the same with my wife's car soon.
dredmo
10-13-2003, 01:53 AM
I sold my Jetta and paid off my bimmer.

:twisted:
ZHPhil
10-13-2003, 03:32 PM
I sold my Jetta and paid off my bimmer.

:twisted:
:scratch: Right :wink:
dredmo
10-13-2003, 03:54 PM
I did.

Owed 9K on the bimmer, got 8500 for the jetta, and used it to pay off the bimmer.
ZHPhil
10-13-2003, 03:56 PM
I did.

Owed 9K on the bimmer, got 8500 for the jetta, and used it to pay off the bimmer.
Congrats :thumbup: Good move with the new family et. al. :)

How is mom and baby doing :?: Well I hope.
dredmo
10-13-2003, 04:01 PM
Yes, it was a mandatory move because my wife is not going back to work.

The baby is doing great, growing like a weed, (a good weed :P ), and her fussiness is not bad at all, just occasional.

The wife isn't so good, but nothing serious. Not birth-related complications either.

Overall, I could never complain. :twisted:


So, how about you and yours? Is the Amish neck-brace off yet? :D
ZHPhil
10-13-2003, 04:03 PM
Yes, it was a mandatory move because my wife is not going back to work.

The baby is doing great, growing like a weed, (a good weed :P ), and her fussiness is not bad at all, just occasional.

The wife isn't so good, but nothing serious. Not birth-related complications either.

Overall, I could never complain. :twisted:


So, how about you and yours? Is the Amish neck-brace off yet? :D
Good to hear...... :)

I am still not 100% recovered, but doing better with time. No golf at all this year :(
TD
10-13-2003, 04:07 PM
Yes, it was a mandatory move because my wife is not going back to work.

The baby is doing great, growing like a weed, (a good weed :P ), and her fussiness is not bad at all, just occasional.

The wife isn't so good, but nothing serious. Not birth-related complications either.

Overall, I could never complain. :twisted:


So, how about you and yours? Is the Amish neck-brace off yet? :D

We're undecided if my wife is going part part-time or not at all.

This thread relates to us getting a more practical vehcile. We'll see if it happens or if we'll get by with two kids and two E36s.
ZHPhil
10-13-2003, 04:13 PM
We're undecided if my wife is going part part-time or not at all.

This thread relates to us getting a more practical vehcile. We'll see if it happens or if we'll get by with two kids and two E36s.

As the kids get a bit older, I would think something a bit roomier would benefit you TD. Best of luck on the search :thumbup:
dredmo
10-13-2003, 04:14 PM
Our e46 coupe is working fine for us so far. Not a hassle at all. I don't know how that will change when her car-seat gets upgraded though.
TD
10-13-2003, 04:15 PM
We're undecided if my wife is going part part-time or not at all.

This thread relates to us getting a more practical vehcile. We'll see if it happens or if we'll get by with two kids and two E36s.

As the kids get a bit older, I would think something a bit roomier would benefit you TD. Best of luck on the search :thumbup:

I think the search might be over. We'll see. (F'ing salesmen...)
ZHPhil
10-13-2003, 04:17 PM
I think the search might be over. We'll see. (F'ing salesmen...)
:?

Did you get rooked :?:
dredmo
10-13-2003, 04:19 PM
Speaking of F'ing salesman, the A-hole I bought my car from wouldn't even let me test drive a Z4.

It's cool though, I got to drive one anyways, and he will never get any more of my money. :twisted:
TD
10-13-2003, 04:24 PM
I think the search might be over. We'll see. (F'ing salesmen...)
:?

Did you get rooked :?:

No. He's just playing games.

I made a fair offer and it's in his court.

Sorry for the crappy pic...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20457
ZHPhil
10-13-2003, 04:50 PM
No. He's just playing games.

I made a fair offer and it's in his court.

Sorry for the crappy pic...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20457
Hope he comes back with something reasonable :)
SpaceMonk
10-15-2003, 01:43 AM
I might be putting our '99 (E36) 323iC 5-spd up for sale this week. Any suggestions?
Sure. Put the other car up for sale.
:wink:
SARAFIL
10-16-2003, 08:45 PM
Want something EASY? Sell it to your BMW dealer. However, you'll likely make alot less than you're hoping for.

When I sold my E30, I tried ads in the local papers, Turdfly classifieds, as well as the "park it somewhere visible" technique, and none worked. All I got were kids looking to buy the car for pennies, or wackos that were totally unreasonable.

I then listed it on Autotrader.com, and sold it within a week.
GSR13
10-16-2003, 10:09 PM
Clean it up inside and out and take the car to a CarMax to see what they will offer. Sometimes, they actually put enough money in the car to satisfy the seller, especially if they want the car for their lot. They are usually between Dealer Trade-In and Retail and the appraisal is free.

Otherwise, you should follow the other advice already given. Park it somewhere safe that many people will see it.

You might also try posting it in the Roadfly Classifieds. :lol:
ARCHER
10-17-2003, 12:25 AM
I just sold mine by having it spotless and parked in a busy but safe location. Driving through your town you may notice certain places where everyone parks their cars when they're for sale. Do that, it was free, and I sold mine within a week. :x

This method has always worked well for me. I usually sell within two weeks and can usually weed out the yahoos over the phone.

Given the time of year and your location however, the "vert" might not draw much attention.
Masskrug
10-17-2003, 02:08 AM
I privately sold a 2001 new Honda 5 months ago.

I used AutoTrader.com, Cars Direct, and the local paper.

I definitely got the most serious inquiries via the newspaper ad, and eventually sold it within 3 weeks thru a paper lead. YMMV.

The three sources cost me around $100 total; well worth the exposure I got, and all sources would have permit me to advertise for a minimum 6 weeks, and the two internet ones were "until it's sold".

Needless to say, a private deal kicked the ass of ANY dealer offer. Not even close.